Raytheon won a $624.6 million contract modification for the procurement of Stinger missiles and associated equipment for the US Army. The Stinger missile is a lightweight, self-contained air defense system that can be rapidly deployed by ground troops. Its supersonic speed, agility and highly accurate guidance and control system give the weapon an operational edge against cruise missiles and all classes of aircraft. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2026.
Northrop Grumman won a $13 million order, which provides for the procurement for depot maintenance for the TE-6B in-flight trainer aircraft. Work will be performed in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Expected completion will be in August 2023. Fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the full amount will be obligated at the time of award.
Middle East & Africa
Rolls-Royce won an $8.4 million contract modification, which increases the scope to procure original equipment manufacturer engineering and logistics support for KC-130J aircraft AE2100D3 engines for the Marine Corps and the government of Kuwait under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will take place in Indiana, Japan, North Carolina, California, Texas and New York. Estimated completion will be in November 2022.
12 Squadron, a joint squadron by the Qatar Emiri Air Force and the British Royal Air Force, will secure the airspace during World Cup 2022 in Doha. The British Ministry of Defense says the World Cup deployment co-insides with a pre-planned deployment.
Europe
According to Reuters, President Joe Biden said that the US won’t supply Ukraine with long-range rocket systems that can hit Russian territory. Several news reports from last week said that US was preparing to approve the transfer of MLRS rocket launchers to Ukraine, which have a maximum range of more than 180 miles.
Asia-Pacific
The Philippine Air Force organized a gunnery competition from May 16 to 24 at Col. Ernesto Rabina Air Base and the newly-delivered T-129 attack helicopter participated as well. Through live voice, video, and data feeds from sensors, shooters and decision makers were provided with a “common operational picture” in near-real time.
Today’s Video
WATCH: Ukraine’s MiG Killer: How the Stinger Missile Works
Bell Boeing Joint Project Office won a $61.1 million contract modification, which adds scope to provide additional non-recurring engineering to support the production line incorporation of nacelle improvements for the CV-22 aircraft. Additionally, this modification exercises an option to procure 14 nacelle improvements kits in order to accelerate the CV-22 installation schedule, as well as procure an additional six brackets to support the kit installation. Work will take place in Texas and Pennsylvania. Estimated completion is in December 2025.
L3Harris Technologies has been chosen by Tactical Air Support to upgrade the F-5AT. L3Harris will provide GH-4001 Electronic Standby Instruments and Tactical Airborne Navigation Systems (TACAN+) for this contract.
Middle East & Africa
An adviser for the British defense ministry, Air Marshal Martin Elliot Sampson, told Qatar’s state news agency (QNA) on Monday that the first delivery of typhoon jets will be delivered to Qatar in August. In 2017, BAE Systems and Qatar entered into a contract valued at around 5 billion pounds ($6.7 billion) for the country to buy 24 Typhoon combat aircraft.
Europe
Romania’s Ministry of Defense announced on May 24 that the country’s MiG-21 flight has resumed flying a day earlier. However, this will be a temporary measure as the fighters will be retired from service in one year’s time on May 15, 2023.
Sweden’s Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) has contracted Saab Dynamics to supply new 400 mm diameter torpedo launcher systems for Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN) surface combatants. The approximately $15.3 million order covers the delivery of the new Tub m/20 launch tube previously developed for the Finnish Navy’s four new Pohjanmaa-class corvettes. Deliveries are set to start in 2023.
Asia-Pacific
Raytheon won a $9.7 million modification to exercise options and incrementally fund existing contract line items for engineering and technical support of Standard Missiles 2 and 6 (SM-2/6). This contract combines purchases for the U.S. government (23%); and the governments of Japan, Germany, Spain, Denmark, South Korea, and Chile (77%) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will take place in Arizona, Alabama, Missouri, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maryland. Expected completion will be by February 2025.
Today’s Video
WATCH: MiG-21 | The Soviet Fighter that Flew EVERYWHERE!
Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin JV won a $10 million contract modification to support the Javelin Engineering Services contract. Javelin is a versatile one-man-portable anti-tank weapon, manufactured by the Raytheon/ Lockheed Martin Javelin joint venture. Work will take place in Arizona. Estimated completion date is November 30, 2023.
Sierra Nevada won a $34 million contract modification for the MC-130J Airborne Mission Networking program low rate initial production. This order provides for the procurement of production kits, spares, interim contractor support and weapon system trainer support. Work will take place in Colorado. Expected completion date is January 19, 2023.
Middle East & Africa
An Iranian Air Force FT-7 jet trainer crashed on May 24 in Iran’s Isfahan province and both pilots did not survive in the accident. A local official identifies the crew as Maj. Qasem Zamani and trainee Mohammad Javad Bai.
Europe
The British government will commit $375 million to give the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers a Maritime Ballistic Missile Defense capability. The warships will be equipped with the ASTER 30 Block 1 missile interceptor and SAMPSON Multi-Function Radar (MFR) will be updated, along with the Sea Viper command and control missile system.
Polish Defense Minister Mariusz B?aszczak has announced his country is launching the second phase of its mid-range air defense program by requesting the US government to sell it six Patriot batteries with related gear. These would be in addition to the $4.7 billion order for the first two Patriot Configuration 3+ batteries that are scheduled for delivery this year.
Asia-Pacific
It was reported earlier this year that the United States intends to deploy the MQ-9 to Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Kanoya airbase in Kagoshima Prefecture. The latest information from Asahi news is that the deployment will take place in July. Parliamentary Vice Minister Tsuyohito Iwamoto briefed Kanoya Mayor Shigeru Nakanishi and Kagoshima Governor Koichi Shiota on May 23 on the deployment. The deployment is expected to last for one year, the exact number of aircraft and personnel was not disclosed.
Today’s Video
WATCH: Boeing T-7A: Advanced American Trainer Aircraft for US Air Force pilots
Lockheed Martin won a $13.3 million deal, which provides for engineering, development and production of Operational Test Program Sets (OTPS) to support AN/APY-9 Radar Avionics Line Replaceable Modules (LRMs). These OTPSs will provide support for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye program and will be used at the depot level to provide test and repair capabilities for the LRMs. Work will take place in New York. Expected completion date will be in September 2025.
Raytheon won a $422.6 million modification to previously awarded contract N00024-22-C-5500 to exercise options for hardware production of the AN/SPY-6(V) Family of Radars. Work will take place in Massachusetts, California, Maryland, New York, Alabama, Rhode Island, Texas, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. Estimated completion will be by September 2025.
Middle East & Africa
The US State Department has approved a possible foreign military sale of TOW 2A radio frequency missiles, support, and related equipment to Egypt for $691 million. Egypt has requested more than 5,000 TOW 2As, including support equipment, spare parts, training, and technical and logistical support.
Europe
France will deploy the MAMBA anti-missile system to Romania. The deployment of the French state-of-the-art MAMBA weapons system and an air defense command post to Romania is designed to “augment NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence”. The MAMBA surface-based air and missile defence system is operated by the French Air and Space Force as a theatre antimissile system to protect tactical sites against airborne threats, including cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles, manned and unmanned aircraft.
Denmark will arm Ukraine with with a modern Harpoon anti-ship launcher and missiles to protect its coasts, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Monday after concluding the latest US-led meeting of international defense chiefs to coordinate military aid for Ukraine. The announcement came as Russia’s blockade of Odessa, Ukraine’s largest port on the Black Sea, which is threatening global food supplies.
Asia-Pacific
Bell Boeing won a $9.5 million firm-fixed-price order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001922G0002). This order provides for the upgrade and delivery of the V-22 Half Wing Part Task Trainer in support of executing training for the government of Japan. Work will take place in Texas and Japan. Expected completion date is in January 2027.
Today’s Video
WATCH: TOW Missile & How BGM-71 TOW Anti-Tank Guided Missiles Work?
Airbus US Space & Defense won a $14.3 million deal for UH-72 Lakota helicopter contractor logistics support and engineering services. The UH-72 Lakota is the US Army’s multi-mission helicopter, which acts as the key platform for the US Army, Navy and National Guard in their mission of protecting and serving communities across America. It combines operational capability, reliability and affordability, fulfilling all the Army’s requirements for speed, range, endurance and overall performance. Work will take place in Texas. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2026.
The US Navy’s Airborne Command & Control and Logistics Wing (ACCLOGWING) achieved a new milestone on May 6 when it was able to generate 23 Fully Mission Capable (FMC) E-2Ds, surpassing a record of 22 aircraft set in April 29, 2022. “Attaining 23 FMC, above our target of 22, is a huge accomplishment not only for our community but for Naval Aviation,” said Capt. Chris “Mullet” Hulitt, ACCLOGWING commodore. “We’re embracing the Chief of Naval Operations’ ‘Get Real, Get Better’ guidance to take hard, honest looks at our efforts to make sure we have the right plan. We achieved this through unwavering determination and superb teamwork across an entire team of teams in the NAE.”
Middle East & Africa
Epsilor, an Israeli developer and manufacturer of mobile energy products for defense and aerospace applications, will reveal its NATO 6T Li-Ion rechargeable battery in a metal-case that meets the safety requirements of MIL-PRF-32565C (the US Army Performance Specification) at Eurostory 2022 show, which will take place on mid-June in Paris. Epsilor’s 6T battery is equipped with a smart Battery Management System (BMS) with self-charging and self-balancing.
Europe
Two French Air Force Rafale fighters had a mid-air collision during an airshow demonstration on May 22. Both jets landed safely and one piece of the debris landed in the town of Gensac-la-Pallue. Photos online showed that the jet damaged was a Rafale in black livery that recently participated in NATO Tigers Meet. The aircraft from EC 3/30 had won an award for the best painted aircraft. EC 3/30 had also won the Silver Tiger award at the exercise in Greece.
Asia-Pacific
Subaru has flown the first production UH-2 helicopter at Utsunomiya Air Field on May 20. The helicopter, based on the Bell 412EPX, is ordered by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The pilot flew the aircraft for 30 minutes during the flight.
According to news reports, New Zealand’s government unveiled plans to train a small number of Ukrainian soldiers in using field artillery guns, deepening the country’s involvement in a conflict on the other side of the world. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said her cabinet agreed to deploy up to 30 members of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) to Britain to train Ukrainian forces in the use of L119 105mm howitzers. The deployment will run until the end of July and Chief of Defense Force Air Marshal Kevin Short said his personnel expected about 230 Ukrainian soldiers to be trained.
Today’s Video
WATCH: UH-72B Lakota : The next generation helicopter of U.S. Army
Latest updates[?]: Airbus US Space & Defense won a $14.3 million deal for UH-72 Lakota helicopter contractor logistics support and engineering services. The UH-72 Lakota is the US Army's multi-mission helicopter, which acts as the key platform for the US Army, Navy and National Guard in their mission of protecting and serving communities across America. It combines operational capability, reliability and affordability, fulfilling all the Army's requirements for speed, range, endurance and overall performance. Work will take place in Texas. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2026.
UH-72As: MEDEVAC
DID’s FOCUS articles offer in-depth, updated looks at significant military programs of record. This is DID’s FOCUS Article regarding the US Army’s Light Utility Helicopter program, covering the program and its objectives, the winning bid team and industrial arrangements, and contracts.
The US Army’s LUH program will finish as a 325 helicopter acquisition program that will be worth about $2.3 billion when all is said and done. It aimed to replace existing UH-1 Hueys and OH-58 Kiowa utility variants in non-combat roles, freeing up larger and more expensive UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters for front-line duty. In June 2006, a variant of Eurocopter’s EC145 beat AgustaWestland’s AB139, Bell-Textron’s 412EP Twin Huey, and MD Helicopters’ 902 Explorer NOTAR (No Tail Rotor) design. The win marked EADS’ 1st serious military win in the American market, and their “UH-145” became the “UH-72A Lakota” at an official December 2006 naming ceremony.
Eurocopter has continued to field new mission kits and deliver helicopters from its Mississippi production line, while trying to build on their LUH breakthrough. A training helicopter win will keep the line going for a couple more years…
Latest updates[?]: Two French Air Force Rafale fighters had a mid-air collision during an airshow demonstration on May 22. Both jets landed safely and one piece of the debris landed in the town of Gensac-la-Pallue. Photos online showed that the jet damaged was a Rafale in black livery that recently participated in NATO Tigers Meet. The aircraft from EC 3/30 had won an award for the best painted aircraft. EC 3/30 had also won the Silver Tiger award at the exercise in Greece.
Dassault Rafale
(click for cutaway view)
Will Dassault’s fighter become a fashionably late fighter platform that builds on its parent company’s past successes – or just “the late Rafale”? It all began as a 1985 break-away from the multinational consortium that went on to create EADS’ Eurofighter. The French needed a lighter aircraft that was suitable for carrier use, and were reportedly unwilling to cede design authority over the project. As is so often true of French defense procurement policy, the choice came down to paying additional costs for full independence and exact needs, or losing key industrial capabilities by partnering or buying abroad. France has generally opted for expensive but independent defense choices, and the Rafale was no exception.
Those costs, and associated delays triggered by the end of the Cold War and reduced funding, proved to be very costly indeed. Unlike previous French fighters, which relied on exports to lower their costs and keep production lines humming, the Rafale has yet to secure a single export contract – in part because initial versions were hampered by impaired capabilities in key roles. The Rafale may, at last, be ready to be what its vendors say: a true omnirole aircraft, ready for prime time on the global export stage. The question is whether it’s too late. Rivals like EADS’ Eurofighter, Russia’s Su-27/30 family, and the American “teen series” of F-15/16/18 variants are all well established. Meanwhile, Saab’s versatile and cheaper JAS-39 Gripen remains a stubborn foe in key export competitions, and the multinational F-35 juggernaut is bearing down on it.
Raytheon won a $10.8 million delivery order for deploy and retrieve systems in support of the AN/AQS-20 mine-hunting program. The AN/AQS-20C sonar mine-hunting system is the U.S. Navy’s latest mine-hunting technology, which is integrated into the littoral combat ship mine countermeasures mission package. Work will take place in Washington and Those Island. Estimated completion will be by December 2023.
DARPA has announced its new X-plane concept, a low-cost long-range seaplane that can fly up to 10,000ft. However, the aircraft will utilize the “wing-in-ground effect” to extend its range so that it can serve as a strategic or tactical transport.
Middle East & Africa
Ugandan troops sent to Democratic Republic of Congo last year will withdraw by May 31 unless the two countries strike a new agreement, Ugandan military officials said. Uganda joined Congolese forces on November 30 in a fight against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), accused of massacres in eastern DR Congo and bombings in Uganda.
Europe
General Dynamics Electric Boat won a $313.9 million modification for additional United Kingdom (UK) Strategic Weapon Support System kit manufacturing, and submarine industrial base development and expansion, as part of the Integrated Enterprise Plan supporting Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines and the nuclear shipbuilding enterprise (Virginia-class and Ford-class). The industrial base development work is for the furtherance of the Fiscal 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (Public Law 117-81) which authorized, and the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2022 (Public Law 117-103) which appropriated, additional funds for submarine industrial base development and expansion to ensure second- and third-tier contractors are able to meet increased production requirements. Work will take place in Rhode Island and Virginia. Estimated completion will be by September 2029.
Asia-Pacific
India’s Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) carried out the first test-firing of its Naval Anti-Ship Missile on May 18. The weapon was released from a Seaking helicopter off Odisha coast.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has secured a contract to supply its MiniPOP electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) systems for the Philippine Navy’s patrol vessels, the company announced in a media release. This particular MiniPOP system that is focused on maritime applications has been developed by IAI’s Tamam Division, and is “designed to operate during both day and night, and meet harsh environmental conditions such as shock, vibration from waves, and extreme temperatures”, the company said.
Latest updates[?]: General Dynamics Electric Boat won a $313.9 million modification for additional United Kingdom (UK) Strategic Weapon Support System kit manufacturing, and submarine industrial base development and expansion, as part of the Integrated Enterprise Plan supporting Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines and the nuclear shipbuilding enterprise (Virginia-class and Ford-class). The industrial base development work is for the furtherance of the Fiscal 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (Public Law 117-81) which authorized, and the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2022 (Public Law 117-103) which appropriated, additional funds for submarine industrial base development and expansion to ensure second- and third-tier contractors are able to meet increased production requirements. Work will take place in Rhode Island and Virginia. Estimated completion will be by September 2029.
Virginia Block I-II
(click for SuperSize)
“GDEB Receives $148M as Virginia Class Lead Yard” described changes to the Virginia Class submarine’s design that are expected to reach 20% of the $200 million savings goal by the time orders for the versatile sea attack/ land attack/ special forces submarines rise to 2 per year, in 2012.
The bow changes cover the FY 2009-2013 ships, referred to as Block III. SSN 774 Virginia – SSN 777 North Carolina are Block I, and SSNs 778-783 will be Block II. Block III begins with the 11th ship of class, SSN 784. Long lead time component orders began May 22/08, and the submarine is expected to be ready for delivery around 2015. A fuller explanation of Block III’s extensive bow changes, and an accompanying graphic, may be found below – along with contract updates that include additional improvements and sonar development.
Lockheed Martin won a &632.1 million deal, which provides engineering, maintenance, logistics and material support to continue to develop, sustain and produce software builds, as well as carryout developmental flight tests in support of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Foreign Military Sales customer, and non-US Department of Defense (DOD) participants’ funds. The deal also provides unique sea trials on aircraft carriers for the government of the United Kingdom. Work will take place in Texas, Florida, Maryland, New Hampshire, California, United Kingdom and Canada. Expected completion is in March 2024.
A 50kW-class high energy laser integrated on a Stryker has shown that the weapon can defeat 60mm mortar rounds and drones during four weeks of continuous live-fire exercises at White Sands Missile Range. The laser system is part of the US Army’s Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD) effort. The system is provided by Raytheon Intelligence & Space and the integrator is Kord, a wholly-owned subsidiary of KBR.
Middle East & Africa
According to Israel Defense, Israeli company Mobius Protection Systems announced it has secured a new order from Leonardo, for the production of its energy-absorbing seat systems. The value of the order has not been disclosed. Mobius will supply its energy-absorbing seats to Leonardo for installation in the manned turret of the Centauro II vehicle.
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has laid the keel for the landing platform dock (LPD) amphibious assault ship on order for the Qatari Emiri Naval Forces. An official keel-laying ceremony was held at the shipbuilder’s yard in Palermo on May 17. Fincantieri is building the LPD for Qatar under a contract awarded in 2016.
Europe
Belgium is to acquire nine CAESAR NG (new generation) self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) under the expansion of the Capacité Motorisée (Motorized Capability, CaMo) programme with France, the ministries of defense (MoDs) of the two countries announced. Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder and her French counterpart, Florence Parly, signed the CaMo 2 intergovernmental agreement on the $65 million procurement of the SPHs for delivery in 2027. The French and Belgian MoDs expected the Direction générale de l’armement (DGA), France’s defense procurement agency, to announce the contract in the coming weeks.
Asia-Pacific
The US Army activated a new air cavalry squadron tasked with providing permanent reconnaissance support to US forces in South Korea. The 5th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade was activated in a ceremony on Camp Humphreys, the largest US military base overseas. The new squadron consists of roughly 500 soldiers and 24 AH-64E Apaches, the latest version of the Army’s attack helicopter. The 5-17th air cavalry squadron also includes RQ-7B Shadows, unmanned aircraft systems that provide reconnaissance and surveillance assistance to aviation brigades.
Today’s Video
WATCH: Belgium acquires nine Caesar NG 155 mm from France
